Metal receptacle



June 14, 27. v

. S. HAMMER METAL RECEPTACLE Original File d Jan. 15, 1925 "3Sheets-Sheet l I I J l N VE N TOR 114772116! 174122722 MAT BY W

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s. HAMMER mam, nacarmcns Origiqal Filed Jan. 1:5, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 23 I is I i.

IN VENTQR Jkmzzel 17am er .3 She etI-Sheet 3 s. HAMMER METAL RECEPTACLEOriginal Filed Jan-15, 1925 June 14', 1927.

v INVENTOR 1 771116! flam ng MATTOR Y Patented June 14, 1927.

UNITED STATES RATENT OFFICES SAMUEL HAMMER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORKASSIGNOB TO UNI'I ED META-Il BOX CO. INC., 01 NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

mrrn. ancnr'racnm Y Original application filed January 113, 1925, SerialNo. 2,152. Divided and this application. filed June 23, 1926. Serial No.117,986.

This invention relates to metal receptacles and more particularly toboxes or receptacles such as are usuall provided in apartment houses,hotels an other large build- 5 ings for receiving mail of the tenantsresidin therein.

" %he subject matter of this application is a division of applicationSerial No. 2,152 filed January 13th, 1925, and more particul0 larlycomprehends certain improvements in mail boxes or receptacles of thistype over the construction described in my co-pending application forpatent, filed May. 13th, 1924,

Serial No. 712 945. In the referred to, I illustrate a multi-compartmentmail receptacle in which individual tenantsdoors close the lowerportions of the mail receiving compartments, while the upper portionsthereof are closed by a single common door, equipped with thepost-oflice lock and of which onlythe postman or carrier has the key. Animportant objectofthis invention is to providescparate upper doors forthe compartments fixed at one of their 25,ends in spaced relation toeach other ;to a

common counter-balancing bar which extends across the several mailcompartments through 0 enings in the dividingwalls or partitions etweensaid compartments. This bar limits the unitary downward swingingmovement of the doors to an open horizontal position, said doors beingpivotally mounted upon a common hinge rod'fixedat its ends in the sidewalls of the receptacle. For thisupper series of doors, a common post;ofiice lock is provided, mounted u on the inner side of one of thedoors, W ile, of course, each, of the lowertenants doors is providedwithv a separate look.

It is another ,object of my present improvements to provides. simple,durable and. effective means for securely interlocking a plurality ofvertically or longitudinally adacent-boxes or receptacles arranged inthe plates or walls of the several boxes are maintained 'in' accuratealignment with each other, preventing relative displacement of 'the'receptacles in. the event of settling or so h in ge o he wa l tru ure, ad nas application last face of the building wall, so that the fronttaining the front exposed surfaces of said receptacles 'at all timesflush with the face of t e wall.

It is also an object of my present invention to provideanimprovedadjustab le attaching or connecting means whereby a panel,provided with push buttons or speakmg tube connections, may be attachedto the upper or lower ends of the receptacle and positioned in the planeof the front wall of said receptacle. y 1

Another detail feature of improvement resides in the means for rigidlyconnecting the upper and lower ends of-the spaced vertical partitionswith the top and bottom. walls of the box or receptacle. V

With the above and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in theimproved receptacle and in the form, construction and arrangement of itsseveral parts, as hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined,claims.

In the drawings wherein I have illustrated one simple and satisfactoryembodiment of the invention, in which similar reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the. several views;-

Figure 1 1s a top plan viewpartly in section of a mail box or receptacleconstructed so in accordance with my present improvements. l

Figure 2 is a front elevation, showing two of the receptacles mounted invertically superposed relation.

' Figure 3 is a detail section taken on the line 33 .of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2.

,Figure 5- is an enlarged vertical section shown one of the lower doorsand the upper oors inopen position.

igure 5 is a detail section line :v-,-a: of Figure 5.

Figure 5" is a detail perspective view of one of the parts. 1 Figure 6is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 6- -6 of Figure 2. 1

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line (J-7 of Figure 1. 4 f

taken on the the top and-bottom walls 7 side walls and having flangeslapping upon divided the other side and rearwallof the receptacle and towhich they are securely united by a series of spot welds. At the frontside of the box, the side walls thereof are provided with the out-turnedflanges 9 and the top and bottom walls with the upwardly and down wardlyextending flanges 10 and 11 respectively. The upper edge portions ofthese latter flanges are inwardly bent at right angles as at 12 and 13for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The flanges 9, 10 and 11are spot welded to the inner side of the front plate or wall 14 of thereceptacle, said plate being of suflicient length to project verticallyan appreciable distance beyond the flanges 10 and 11.

The interior of the box or receptacle is into a series of separatecompartments extending the full length thereof by the verticalpartitions 15. consist of stamped sheet metal plates each of which isprovided on its rear edge with a laterally projecting flange 16 spotwelded to the rear wall of the box structure. per end edge of eachpartition wall fits closely against the top wall 7 of the box and forgreater security,-this top wall on opposite sides of each partition'wallor plate, is indented as at 17, to form tongues or lips separated attheir opposed ends by the intermediate portion of the top wall which isin line with the partition wall or plate. These opposed ends of theindentations or lips thereby abut against the opposite sides of thepartition plate and effectually prevent possible lateral displacement ofthe upper end thereof. If desired, the lower end of each partition platemay be rigidly heldjn connection with the bottom wall of the boxstructure in a similar manner.

The front plate 14 of the receptacle is preferably of-brass and has ahighly polished surface. This brass plate is provided with an upperseries of openings 18 therein and a lower series of openings 19, thecorresponding openings in the two series being associated with the samevertical mail receiving compartment formed by the partition plates 15.These two series of opemngs are spaced from each other. by a centralhorizontal panel 20 and the several openings in each series Thesepartitions The up-- wardl are'horizontally spaced from each other by thevertically extending strips 21 which connect the horizontal panel 20with the upper and lower end portions of the plate 14.

VA hinge rod 22 extends horizontally along the inner side of the panel20 and has its end suitably fixed in the side wall of the box. Upon thisrod'a plurality of doors 23 for the lower series of openings 19 arehingedly mounted at their upper ends. Since the means for hingedlymounting these doors and for sustaining the individual doors in theiropen positions substantially corresponds with the structure disclosed inmy co-pending application herein above referred to, it is not necessaryto further explain the same in detail. It will suffice to state thateach of these doors is provided on its inner side and its lower end witha suitable lock, one of which I have indicated at 24, the keys for suchdoor locks being in the possession of the respective tenants.

I also provide the structurally separated or independent doors 25 forthe upper series of openings 18 through which communication is affordedwith the upper portions of the mail compartments. Preferably theselatter doors are of the same size and shape as the lower doors 23, andeach of said doors on its inner side end along its opposite longitudinaledges has secured thereto, one flange of an angle bar 26, these barsbeing also secured by spot welding to said doors. Each of said anglebars carries a stud 27 projecting inwardly at right angles to the planeof the door and having a reduced threaded end 28 which is adapted forengagement through one of a series of spaced openings provided in acomparatively heavy metal bar 29.

As shown in Figures 5 and 5 of the drawings, I preferably provide thestud 27 at its other end with an angularly projecting rectangular lug 27for snug fitting engagement in a similarly shaped opening 26' in theinwardly extending flange of the angle bar 26. Thus, when the bar 29 isassembled, the several studs 27 are held in close engagement against theinner sides of the angle bar flanges and against movement relativethereto without necessitating the use of tools or securing means topermanently attach the lugs to the flanges of the angle bars.

Nuts 30, threaded upon these studs rigidly clamp this bar against theedges of the inprojecting, flanges of the angle bars 26. n one side ofeach of the partition plates 15 at its front ing strip 31 is secure andthrough said strips and the partition plates,'a hinge rod 32 extends,said hinge rod being fixed in the side walls of the box structure, andbeing located above the studs 27 It is understood, of course, that theinwardly extending flanges of the an 'le bars 26 likewise are providedwith suitable openings to receive this ed e, a metal reinforc Ill hingerod. Inwardly of the reinforcing strips 31, each partition plate 15 isprovided with an opening 33 preferably of square or. rectangular shape,the front edge of said opening being flush with the rear edge of thereinforcing strip 31 and said edges consti tuting a stop against whichthe connecting bar 29 is adapted to engage. It will be readily seenthatthe seriesvof upper doors are very rigidly and substantially connectedwith each other by means of the heavy bar 29 so that in effect, theyoperate as a single door swinging as'a unit to open and close positionwith respect to the several door openings 18. This bar 29 servcstocounterbalance thesections of the doors belowihe hinge rod 32 with therelatively greater portions of such doors which extend above said hingerod, so that in the movement of the doors to their opened or closedposition, the

. parts of the box structure will not be subject the su to excessivestrain or jar, due to violent contact of the connecting bar 29 with thesaid partitions 15. It will be noted that when in open position, theseveral doors 25 are substantially horizontally disposed as seeninFigure 5 of the drawings, which provides a convenient shelf upon whichthe ostman maysort his mail. This feature, owever, is not broadlyclaimed in the present application since it constitutes a part of jectmatter of my co-pe'nding appli-- cation.

Each of the doors 25 may be provided with a narrow slot as indicated at34 to re-,

ceive a card while each of the lower doors 23 have suitable ornamentallyshaped. sight openings 35. Above each of the upper door openings 18 is asuitable name card holder 36 which is attached to the face of the plate14,- and,'if desired, the rear wall of the box structure at the upperends of the several compartments may be formed with the inwardly struckcard holding tongues 37.

By providing the structurally separate doors 25 instead of a single doormember for all of the compartments, as in my former application, it isnecessary to carry in stock doors of only one size. Thus, anydesirednumber of the doors 25 can be assembled and rigidly connectedwith each'other by simply providing bars 29 of different lengths for themail-boxes of the different widths-having a greater or less number ofthe separate mail receiving compartments.

I have alsoprovided means for mounting two or more boxes or receptaclesin vertical- I 1y superposed interlocked relation. lnflarge apartmenthouses, havmg numerous tenants,

it is frequently necessary to. provide a great number of mail boxeswhich practically cover the greater part of the wall space in the lobbyor vestibule. Not infrequently, it

happens, due -to careless workmanship in,

mounting the boxes, shrinkage of the wall structure or. other causes,that one of the mail boxeswill be moved out of horizontal or verticalalignment with the others so that the surfaces of the front platesof'the boxes are not flush with each other or with the surface of thewall. I have provided means for eliminating this ditliculty, and to thisend, as shown in Figures f and 7' of the drawings, I provide on theinner side of the upper and lower end of the front plate 14, theinterlocking bars 38. Each of these bars has an angular flange 39 on oneof its longitudinal edges adapted for engagement upon the flanges 12 or13, as the case may be, and is secured to said flange of the boxstructure by -a plurality of bolts 40 or other equivalent means. Thesebars 38 are closely engaged against the rear side of the plate 14 andextend beyond the end edge thereof. At a point substantially mid-way ofthe len thof this vertically disposed portion of the ar 38, said bar isslotted as at 41, and the longitudinally extending portion of said barat one side of said slotis angularly off-set, as at 42, so that saidportion of the bar is disposed in spaced parallel relation to-the plate14. This intervening space is substantially the equivalent to thethickness of said bar.

As will be seen from reference to Figure 7 of the drawings, inassembling the boxes or receptacles in the recessed'face of the wallstructure, the part of the bar 38 located at one side of the slot 41,carried by one of the "this interlocking means may be provided on theside flanges 9 of the rece tracks, as well as on the top and bottomanges thereof. By thus interlocking the several receptacles,inaccuracies in the forming of the-recesses to receive said receptaclesor shrinkage or settling of the wall structure will not result indisplacement of the receptacles in relation to each other. 'Thus, theclose fitting arrangement and neat appearance of the boxes in the faceof-the 'wall will be maintained.

In many cases, the mail box or receptacle is provided at either one or'both ends with a-panel or panels in which the signal push buttons or thespeaking tube mouth pieces are mounted. Heretofore, no provision hasbeen made for compensating for inaccuracies in thebox construction inthe attachment of said panels, and in such cases, it has been necessaryto redrill the bolt receiving holes,

whereby the panels are attached or com I nected with the flange of thebox wall. To

iso

housing enclosing a nut 50 overcome this difiiculty, as shown in Figures9 and 10 of the drawings, I provide the panel 43 in which the signalbuttons 44 or mouth pieces 45 are mounted with an adjustable attachingplate 46. As herein shown, this plate is provided at suitably spacedpoints adjacent one of its edges, with openings 47 of' preferablyrectangular form through which the screws 48, preferably having theirheads counter-sunk in the face of the panel 43, extend. To the rear sideof the attaching plate 46 and extending over each of the openings 47therein, a cap or housing 49 of sheet metal is secured, said threadedupon the screw 48 and the rear wall of said housing having an opening 51therein through which the screw extends. .The other longitudinal edge ofthe plate 46 is flanged, as at 52, and provided with spaced openings toreceive attaching bolts 53 whereby said plate may be securely fixed tothe flange 12 or 13' on the wall of the box structure.

In fabricating the boxes,'the space or distance between the flanges 12and 13 and the end edge of the front wall 14 of the box is not alwaysuniform and likewise the spacing of the openings in said flanges maypossibly vary. Therefore, it will be readily ,appreciated that byproviding the attaching plate 40 on the rear side'of the panel 43,which'is capable of both vertical and lateral adjustment, with respectto the panel, said panel may be readily attached and properly alignedwith the front wall 14 of the box notwithstanding such inaccuracies.While I have referred to a particular form of this adjustable attachingmeans, it will be understood that various mechanical alternativeembodiments thereof are possible.

From the foregoing description, considered in connection with thedrawings, it is believed that the several novel features of my presentdisclosures and the advantages thereof in practical operation will beclearly understood. By the new mounting and arrangement of the doorelements, affording access to the upper ends of the mail receivingcompartments, I have'succeeded in materially reducing cost inconstruction while at the same time, providing'a very rigid and durablestructure. It is to be noted that in the arrangement of the upper andlower series of doors,.and also in the means which I have provided forapplying and securing the several vertical partitions in place, thereare no externally projecting or visible parts which would detract fromthe neat appearance of the box or receptacle when installed.

It will further be appr'eciated that such a mail receptacle, as I haveherein described, may be manufactured and sold at comparatively smallcost. Further, it complies with.

'all postal regulations, and is practically theft proof.

I have herein disclosed an embodiment of my present invention, which hasbeen found to be entirely successful in practical use. Nevertheless, itis to be understood that these various structural features may besusceptible of considerable modification in the form,-and arrangement ofthe several detail parts thereof, and I accordingly reserve theprivilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes as may be embodiedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Thus, for instance, instead of providing a multicompartment receptacle,having a one piece body structure, the receptacle may obviously be madeup of individual units, each unit having one or more compartments andthe units rigidly connected with each other by rivets,-bolts or othersuitable connecting means. Further, although I have herein referred tothe use of a heavy metal bar 29 for counterbalancing the'compartmentdoors, it will be understood that in lieu of this bar, one or moresprings or other equivalent counterbalancing means might besubsubstituted therefor.

I claim:

1. In metal receptacles each having a sheet metal body structure and aseparate door plate closing the front of said body structure, the top,bottom and side walls of the body structure being flangedand fixed tothe rear side of said front plate; means on the flange of the top wallof one receptacle coacting with means on the flange of the bottom wallof a vertically superposed receptacle for interlocking the receptacleswith each other to maintain said front plates in the same verticalplane. v

2. In metal collection receptacles of the character described, eachhavin a front plate and adapted to be mounted in the face of a wall,means carried by each receptacle for interlocking engagement with thecomplementary means on an adjacent receptacle when the receptacles areassembled in the wall structure whereby said front plates are positionedand held in a common plane with their outer faces flush with the wall.

3. In metal collection receptacles each having a separate front platefixed to the body walls of the receptacle, complementary 1nterlo ckingmembers arranged at the rear side of said front platesand projectingbeyond the edges thereof, said members, on adjacent receptacles adaptedfor interloclring engagement with each other to mamta1n the front platesof said receptacles m a common plane.

4. In metal receptacles, each having a front.plate and the body walls ofthe receptacle secured to the rear side of said plate, members fixed tosaid bod walls and rojecting beyond the edge 0 the front p ate, each ofsaid members havin a part in contact with the rear side of said plateand an I and angularly ofi-set ia spaced from plate, I said parts of themembers on adjacent receptacles adapted to interlock with 'each otherand maintain said front plates of the receptacles in a common plane. Y

5. In combination with a metal receptacle adapted to be mounted in theface of a wall having a front plate, a plate secured at the rear side ofsaid front plate and projecting beyond the ed? thereof, a panel 10 andmeans for adjusta ly connecting sai panel withjhe projecting part ofsaid latter plate to secure said panel in abutting contact with the edgeof said front plate and in alignment therewith.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed mname hereto.

e SAMUEL R.

